Katarina practises art in the spirit of aesthetic cognitivism. It teaches that admiration of beauty or creation of art can give meaning to life. She hopes to share this with the viewer and open them to new visual experiences, just like the artist who relearns the seeing of the natural world by its capture. She uses predominantly oils and oil pastels, these very often in combination.
Follow her on Instagram to find more on her current art projects, exhibitions and paintings or contact her for a studio visit. You will find a link to her online gallery, opportunities for tuitions and workshops. She is happy to discuss any commissions, for these, please use the contact form below.
You will also find her on the Devon Artist Network webpage.
‘If you truly love nature you will find beauty everywhere’ Vincent van Gogh
'Viva la Frida' selected for Lust of Life Exhibition, Broadworks Gallery, London 5-13th of March 2026
Culm Coast, Oil on canvas
A painter's biography
As most exciting addition, Katarina is organising an art exhibition 'Set Ashore' at Positive Light Projects in Exeter and invited artists along to showcase their interpretation of this topic. The artists explore the relationship of the energy of the sea with the solid uninhabitable intertidal shoreline and their relationship with humans, and translate this to meanings of resilience and hope.
Background
Katarina was encouraged in expressing herself through art by her mother and has early memories of painting pink flowers with her, as small girls love doing. Whilst she studied medicine, she painted for relaxation and visited art classes at the University in Regensburg. This was followed by several smaller solo art exhibitions in Munich. After moving to the UK in 1993, work on busy hospital wards took her away from painting. Nevertheless, she painted her largest abstract ‘Tree of Reason’ (2 x 3m) for unveiling and opening of the then new postgraduate centre at Birmingham Heartland Hospital by the Duchess of Gloucester.
In the last few years since retiring from academia, she restarted her passion and is now a member of the CROWs (Creative Older Women), an Exeter art group, the Devon Artist Network, the Tiverton Art Society and Exmouth Art Group with whom she regularly exhibits.
She has also completed a Studio Practice Programme at Newlyn Art School and opened her studio for the Devon Open Studio weeks. She showcased paintings in London and Edinburgh (including participation in 'the Fling') and is active as volunteer in furthering the educational interchange of established artists with a wider audience of art lovers.
Inspirations
Her outdoor activities of rock climbing, sea kayaking and sea swimming allow her to discover less visited places of beauty and wonder, which inspire her artwork. She loves the occasional plein air experience which was made popular by the impressionist, though not always easy without rain and wind protection. She paints eco-friendly using water mixable oils and avoids use of solvents, this sometimes within a mixed media approach. More recently she fell in love with pastels and experimentation with ever new materials.
Art work examples
Stormy Sea, Oil on Canvas
Sunflowers, Oil pastels
Incoming Tide, Oil pastels
Clouds above Dartmoor hills, Oil pastels (partial view only)
Mia, the art critic
The quality of Katarina's paintings is under close scrutiny of the resident cat, Mia. Nothing escapes her sharp vision. And most of the time they are found to work together.
Art gives healing and meaning
Katarina uses art to express and process emotions or for carefree play which is so much needed when things get tough or uncertain. Making art can be healing and art is used for therapy to further wellbeing. You can book a coaching session and combine an art experience in your bespoke session plan. Abstract art is particularly useful for expression of feelings, and may concentrate on shapes and colours, no skills are required.
Contact Katarina if you consider an art session or check out any available workshops.
